Living Center dealing with flu outbreak

JACKSON HOLE, WYO – St. John’s Living Center is requesting the public’s cooperation with several measures put into place this week in response to confirmed resident cases of influenza. The measures are important to reduce the risk of additional illness, according to St. John’s Medical Center communications officer Karen Connelly.

“We are following all guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that apply to long term care centers in order to protect the health of our patients and residents, their visitors, and our Living Center staff,” Connelly said.

The measures include the following:

Public visitation will be limited to avoid spreading illness to visitors and within the facility.

New admissions to the Living Center will be delayed until administrators and medical director Martha Stearn, MD, determine that the risk of contagion has diminished. Dr. Stearn will authorize patient and resident discharges during this time.

Living Center patients, residents, and staff have been offered vaccinations and prophylactic medications, as appropriate. Earlier this flu season, St. John’s had a greater than 99% participation rate for flu vaccines offered to employees at no charge by the medical center. Only staff with work assignments in the Living Center will be permitted in the facility to reduce the possibility of transmission.

“We appreciate the community’s support while we focus on taking care of our patients and residents and taking measures to prevent additional illness,” said Living Center executive director Malenda Hoelscher, BSN, LNHA.